Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:33 pm on 28 September 2021.
I think the Member will find that, if you compare the county of Flintshire to areas of England that are included, you'll find there is a significant disparity in wealth and opportunity, and it does not make sense that Flintshire is not included in the priority areas when more wealthy and prosperous areas of England are. If he wants to make an alternative case and celebrate the fact that Flintshire is excluded, that's a matter for him.
I'd also point out that, when it comes to the outcomes that we've achieved with European funds, there are significant outcomes in terms of the jobs, the outcomes of jobs that have been saved and created, and I'm proud of what we've done and the lessons that we've learned—a point that his colleague Paul Davies made. There are lots of lessons we have learned that are being ignored in the current approach. And it's about learning lessons here, the choices we make in this Government, it's about learning lessons in the previous approach to austerity and the damage that caused in terms of our economic future as well, and trying to do the right thing now for the people that we're here to represent. And I would welcome a constructive approach from the UK Government and indeed from Conservative Members in this institution as well. I look forward of course, Deputy Llywydd, to reporting back on those matters as we make, I hope, some progress for the benefit of the people of Wales.